The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-10
LABOR AND THE CHURCH.
Preparing an Organization Under the Wing
of the Vatican.

New YORK Mail ana Express
According TO reports that seem to be thor
oughly reliable, the Catholic Church in the
United States is going thoroughly and system
aticay into the matter of assisting in the amell-
Grafton of the laboring classes within its own
pale, and to inaugurate chain of organizations
that will have for their objects the assistance of
the workingman.
The idea is new to America. but not to Ger
many or France. In Germany there are hun
dreds of workingmen's unions, with reading
rooms. libraries, nightschools, lecture lyceums,
and even newspapers. They are also powerful
factor in politics. and 1t was largely to secure
their support that Prince Bismarck made his
peace with the Pope In France these working
mems guilds even more powerful. The
Count de Mari is the president of their central
body. Their representatives recently visited
Rome, where Pope Leo himself was at pains to
give them splendid reception The Pope is
known to be very much IN favor OF such organlz-
atoms.
Cardinal Gibbons, since his last visit to Eu-
rope, where he went out of his way to study the
workings of the French guilds, has been warm
admirer of them, and has been in favor of their
establishment here. The present Is an oppor-
tune time for the movement The Knights of
Labor which formerly filled the field for Cath
Ole as well as non-Catholic worklngmen IS
plainly disintegrating. Besides, Socialism,
which the Catholic Church violently opposes.
is rampant, and the church would like to get
workingmen into organizations where such
principles would not be taught. Again, DIR.
McGlynn and other agitators have asserted that
the present heads of the church have no love for
the laborer. and it would be great move to
prove the contrary. The movement here has
taken no definite shape yet, and much prelim-
mary work will be required as Cardinal Gibbons
and a few others are the only ones who
really acquainted with the system as it prevails
abroad Cardinal Gibbons is studying the
project closely. and some definite action may
soon be looked for.
The plan of organization will be to have local
guilds all over the country, which Will be gov
erned by central body somewhat similar to
that which rules the Knights of Labor. Although
under the sanction of the church, the heads of
fIo zafi will hp me
archbishop or bishop acting, probably, as honor
airy president of the central body. Each guild
will have its officers and its own laws and
regulations The objects aimed at include the
following
1.-The promotion of temperance among work
ingmen.
s.Help for the unemployed by means of en-
ployment bureaus.
Funds for life insurance and for the care of
the sick.
might schools and lecture lyceums for educa-
tional purposes.
Circulating libraries. free to members, and
regular debating societies.
1.-The establishment of travelling card sys-
tenn by which members will be recognized and
assisted in any locality"
These guilds, so-called. are to have connec-
ton whatever with politics. and the church will
have sufficient authority over them to prevent
either Socialistic or Anarchistic propaganda
from being preached in them. In short, while
they will be for Catholics. they will be secular
and non political in character.
That it will be difficult to carry out this pro-
Ject IN this country Is recognized France IS q
Catholic country and Germany is largely Cath
Ole. Catholics here have invariably resented
any interference on the part of the church in
their affairs, and this prejudice viii have to be
overcome. 1t is hoped, however that the sew
eral secular societies affliating with the Catholic
Church may be induced to assist in the proposed
movement There Is a purely temperance or
ganZation in the United States under the patron
age of Bishop Ireland, numbering upward of
100, 000 members. and having local unions. There
is Young Mems National Union. of which Rev
of la1afh how
ing 20, 900 members, and there similar
CARNATIONS that might all consolidate the
broader plan of WorkinSmen's National Union.
The new body would, of course, exist under the
auspices of the American hierarchy, while being
a thorough business organization.
The Knights of Labor. in the large cities at
least, are largely made up of Catholics. and the
founding of an organization such that out
lined above would weaken it fatally. just who
will take the first step in the Inauguration of the
new enterprise is not yet known. 1t is very
likely, however, to be Cardinal Gibbons.